"The people of Salford said `No' to this industry. We meant `No!'..." Frack Free Greater Manchester

According to documents submitted to the Government, IGas, and its new partner INEOS, is intending to submit a planning application to drill a fracking well and to frack by 2021, as part of its licence which includes Barton Moss and Salford.

Today, campaigners called on Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, to back the Greater Manchester anti-fracking campaign in his role as both Mayor of Salford and Environment lead for Greater Manchester.

Just when campaigners thought fracking company IGas had left Salford and Barton Moss after bitter protests during 2013/14, Government documents reveal that the company could be back, with its new partner INEOS, to begin fracking in 2021.

Documents submitted to the Government's Oil and Gas Authority, as part of its Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDL) commitments show that, for PEDL193 area, which includes Barton Moss, Warrington, Salford, Trafford and Wigan, IGas will "Acquire new seismic data by 30 June 2018, submit planning application to drill a well by 30 June 2020, and drill, hydraulically fracture and flow test a well by 30 June 2021..."

Today, anti-fracking campaigners were furious, calling on Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, to publicly oppose any attempt to frack Salford...

"The cost of this industry is too high" said Jenny Ross of Frack Free Greater Manchester "The Government may be ignoring the wake up call, but the people of Salford will not. If they won't lock the gate on this industry then we will. The people of Salford said `No' to this industry. We meant `No!'. And it's time Paul Dennett gave that response his full backing."

Greater Manchester Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham MP has already made a statement opposing fracking in the region...

"My position would be to recommend a Greater Manchester-wide presumption of opposition to fracking unless and until the evidence changes" he told the Salford Star "I have seen how states in the US such as New York have taken a stance against fracking and I think Greater Manchester should do the same.

"As Mayor, my focus would be on building the jobs of the future rather than the past" he added "Fracking for fossil fuels seems to me to belong to the last century, not this one, and does not produce the quality jobs in the numbers that some have claimed. Instead, I want a Greater Manchester that is building the future and leading the way on renewable energy. That is where our focus should lie." (see here)

Paul Dennett is not only Salford City Mayor but also has the portfolio amongst Greater Manchester council leaders for the Environment. In private he has stated that he is opposed to fracking but has not made any statement in public since being elected*. Meanwhile, both Bolton and Bury Council have passed motions to prohibit fracking on their land (see previous Salford Star article – click here)

Salford councillors, including Dennett and the previous Salford Mayor, Ian Stewart, brought shame on the city by never once attending the Barton Moss anti-fracking protests to see at first hand the `political policing', including the aggressive treatment of local people by Greater Manchester Police in what became known as The Battle of Barton Moss. The vast majority of those arrested at the protest have subsequently been found not guilty (see here).

Now, within four years, Salford could be set for The Battle of Barton Moss Part 2.And campaigners are waiting to see which side their elected politicians will be sitting on this time...

* Salford Mayor Paul Dennett doesn't respond to Salford Star requests for comments and interviews so we can't ask him directly for his views.

For lots more details on fracking licences throughout the country and links to interactive maps see the excellent Drill or Drop website – click here

On Saturday, September 24th (10am-5pm) Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Greater Manchester are hosting a Unite Against Fracking free day of workshops for anti-fracking groups and activists.

Amongst the issues to be addressed are `How to respond to planning applications'; `The media and fighting fracking' and `Getting your councillors to oppose fracking'. For more details see the Unite Against Fracking Facebook event page – click here

Main photo by Steven Speed

Michael James Felse wroteat 10:32:54 on 19 August 2016

Ray what is your problem! My family home is in Salford. I work in Stockport, Bury, Manchester, Wigan and Salford. I eat, drink and play across our great boroughs. I am personally not satisfied with Fracking in our communities. Why would I want them poisoned?

RayofSunshine wroteat 13:25:22 on 17 August 2016

So basically Michael, when it comes to fracking, you've got no principles except for
whatever boosts your profile!

Alice wroteat 14:21:12 on 16 August 2016

This is your opportunity Paul Dennett to show the residents of Salford that you listen to them and read the research that says fracking is unnecessary, dangerous, increases carbon emissions and is a backward step. Think why NewcYork State has banned it, why Andy Burham has spoken up against it and both Friends of the Earth and Green Peace are strongly opposed. You must show you are a progressive thinker and go for renewable energy always and every time.

Michael James Felse wroteat 14:21:06 on 16 August 2016

As the UK Gold Medal Winner in 2016 Skills Oscars including Business Sector and Tutor of the Year I go with my rule of no bullshit by me saying:- Each individual in UKIP is responsible for themselves. My understanding of the Fracking process tells me it is bad for environments, hurts wild life, kills Eco-systems and gives risky projections for future generations. Chemicals used in fracking procedures can contaminate air, our water table, soil and long term can cause cancer. The process could aggravate flooding, earthquakes and has no control of toxic chemicals or methane pumped into boreholes (which spread anywhere). I know UKIP is open to debate on all policy issues and from a personal stand point I am against Fracking. If we ran away from our fights we surly would not be worthy participants. Greater Manchester must block all the Fracking and send it back to the drawing board. I must fully protect our communities in action about Fracking, being a man that will not break with UKIP but will stand firm on what I see as safety for Greater Manchester. I will write to the UKIP new leader on the important matter to offer better alternative energy plans.

RayofSunshine wroteat 10:13:34 on 16 August 2016

So far as I know, the official national policy of UKIP is to support f racking! Is this not the case Michael? Are you prepared, Michael,to
break with UKIP over f racking?

Michael James Felse wroteat 12:21:37 on 15 August 2016

The Greater Manchester Mayor will have the power to block all Fracking across Gr Mancher. He must do exactly that if people of the area matter to the one elected. If he does not the Assembly must get flooded by campaigners to rid Greatet Manchester of Fracking and to vote to delete the position.